I’m proudly adding this one to the “Japanese Print Tradition” section of the Portfolio. It’s a beautiful example from outstanding early twentieth century American print maker Helen Hyde (1868 – 1919). We set “A Mexican Coquette” (1912; colored woodcut, 10″ diameter) in a hand carved No. 14 CV Rounded Corner frame—3/4″ wide, in walnut, stained black. The basic version of the frame, No. 14 CV, has always been popular and a go-to especially for woodblock prints (the most basic “printable frame”), and we often interrupt the carved panel near the corners with stops. But the curved lines that are such a salient characteristic of this print, and the vernacular setting, suggested to me these simple rounded corners.
You can’t beat a completely plain rag mat for woodblock prints and etchings. That blank expanse not only allows the eye to focus on the fine detail of the print, but is also the perfect complement, and thus enhancement, to that detail.
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- No. 14 CV Rounded Corners
Wow!! Again, another insightfully executed achievement in framing. ‘Makes all the difference in the “feel” of the artwork and how, I’m sure, viewers will “see” and appreciate the artist’s intent.